[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF CAROL HARTUNIAN GIRVETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Carol 
Hartunian Girvetz of Santa Cruz, California. Carol Hartunian Girvetz 
passed away on July 4th, 2010. Carol will be remembered always as a 
loving mother, loyal wife, and dedicated citizen committed to her 
community.
  Carol Hartunian Girvetz was born in Hollywood in 1946 to Armenian 
immigrant parents. She spent her early years as a young adult studying 
Art and English at UC Santa Barbara. After college, she began her 
career as a teacher and quickly changed paths upon taking a job with 
Pan American as a flight attendant. During this time, she worked on 
many R&R flights tending to soldiers from the Vietnam War as they 
traveled to meet their loved ones back at home, and then returning them 
back to the battlefield.
  After her days of traveling with Pan American, Carol returned to 
California to begin her new life as a wife and mother. Carol and her 
first husband Jon raised their two children, Evan and Shyla in the 
small town of Freedom in Santa Cruz County. Her connection with the 
community was immediate as she became enmeshed in the community's 
needs. She served on the Women's Commission and along with several 
women, started the first shelter for female victims of domestic 
violence. This achievement would be the first of many in her thirty 
years of service to Santa Cruz County. Carol most recently retired from 
the position of Assistant County Administrative Officer, where I had 
worked with her for years. During this time, Carol built a close and 
loving relationship with her second husband George Newell. Carol was 
known by her colleagues for her strong work ethic, great sense of 
humor, and devotion to public service. She was an extraordinary person 
and public employee who will always be remembered and missed by her 
colleagues.
  In addition to her work in public service, Carol was also heavily 
involved in local fine arts in Santa Cruz. She played a large role in 
the development of the McPherson Center for Art and History. She also 
served as a board member for such organizations as United Way of Santa 
Cruz County and Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, among others. Her 
hard work has given the community and future generations the 
opportunity to be immersed in fine arts. Her life is a testament to how 
the commitment of public service can leave a lasting impact on a 
community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask members of the House to join me in honoring the 
life of Carol Hartunian Girvetz, and extend our nation's deepest 
gratitude to her thirty years of service to her community. Carol is 
survived by her husband, George Newell, son Evan Girvetz, daughter 
Shyla Girvetz and their father Jon Girvetz. Carol lived sixty-four 
years of life filled with the love of her family, passion for public 
service and the arts, and will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________